Universal joint



March 1927 F. w. PETERS UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed April 22. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 "mu' //Ay///// March 15, 1927.

F. W. PETERS UNIVERSAL- JOINT Filed April 22, 1925 2 sheds-sheet Patented Mar. 15, 1927.

FREDERICK w. PETERS, or CLEVELAND, onianssieivoR To sPIon MANURAC UK ING CORPORATION, or son'rn PLAINFIELD, nnw JnRsnY, A CORPORATION or VIRGINIA.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

Application filed April 22, 1925. SerialNo. 24,925.

This invention relates to universal joints, and more particularly to joints of the character wherein the trunnions on the end coupling members are connected With an intermediate hollow lubricant containing ring through'bearing blocks which are inserted in such ring transversely of the latter-that is to say, in a direction that is substantially parallel with the axis of rotation ofsuch ring.

A joint of this general character is shown,

described and claimed in my application.

openings by means of which the blocks arev inserted into the ring, is reduced to a minimum.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide a joint of this character which is simple in construction and cheap of production. v

I accomplish the foregoing objects in and through the construction and arrangement of parts shown in the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation of a universal joint embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a central sectional view through the ring, showing the pins and trunnions in elevation; Fig. 3 a sectional elevation of the joint, the view being taken just to the left of the clamping ring 21 on Fig. 1; Figs. 4 and 5 are views in side and end elevation, respectively, of one of the bearing blocks; and Figs. 6 and 7 are details of the washers used at opposite ends of each bearingblock. Describing the various parts by reference characters 1 and 2 denote hubs by means of which the joint is connected to shaft sections (not shown), the hub 2 being shown as adapted for a splined connection wth its shaft section, the outer end of the hub bore being closed by a plate 3. The hubs are provided each with a yoke, the arms 4: of

each yoke having a cross pin 0 mounted therein, the outer ends 6 of each cross pin constituting trunnions. Each cross pin is shown as provided with a central recess 5 of slightly greater depth than the radius of such pin,-.each recess being about 210 in segmental.

Formed in the ring thus provided are transversely extending seats 13 for the bearing blocks. These seats extend through the side wall 8 and toward the opposite side wall 8; and the block-receiving wall of each such seat is a sectionof a cylinder having a circumferential extent in excess of 180, whereby the seats permit the blocks to rock therein while preventing radial inward movement of the said blocks.

. It will be noted that the space between the outer wall 7 and the segmental inner wall 7 I is divided into a plurality of chambers C, said chambers being separated from each other by means of the side walls of the seats B and by the bearing blocks inserted within such seats. Each chamber C is adapted to communicate with theinterior of the seats B on each side thereof through large openings 9v formed in the walls of said seats, thereby to lubricate the outer surfaces of the hearing blocks. The chambers C are enabled to communicate with each other and to provide for the circulation of the lubricant bycentrifugal action, by means of the ports 10, formed in the outer portions of the seats, said ports forming passages, beyond the trunnions connecting the adjacent chambers C. The ports 10 merge at their inner ends with the'openings 9. For the purpose of supplying the chambers with. lubricant, one such chamber is provided with a filling opening C closed by a plug.

Cooperating with the seats B are the bearing blocks, each of which is indicated generally at D, the blocks being so shaped as to fit within the said seats and each having an external wall 11 of the same general contour as the wallbf its seat, exceptasrsuch contour is modified by the extension: of the cy1indrical radial bore 12 therethrough. Eachof theblocks D is provided with afianged head M113 atone end' thereof,each flange having an outer wall concentric with the bearing wall of the block and being of the same angular extent as such bearing wall; Each fiange has a groove 13 theremconstituting avsegs 'ment of an annulus for the reception of a wash er 14. The end of eaG hfblOClCDWiiiCh is opposite' tliefianged-head13 is reduced, as V shown at I), providing a segmental angular seat ldfcrthe reception of washer 16.-

Between each bearing block and -the' adj'acent shoulder 4 on the adjacent yoke arnnl and surrounding each trunnion, is a wash-er earlier. application. referred to hereinbefore.

Withth'eiparts'constructed and arranged- Each bearing block provi'ded with a porn-1 8, .beyond the trunnion therein, adapted to register with aport 10 and form therea continuous passage extending across the end o t each trunnion and between the same and the"cooperating part or the seat D,

the ports 10 and 18 connecting adjacent chambers C.

. as described'thahubs,with theirtrunnions iand thebearing blocks, can. be readily applied to the ring; bynpressing. the blochs into thei eats; seeing; that. the washers 1-4. and '1 6 are ini'place: For thepunpose otholding- -the ibloeks intheirseats, I employ with the ring1A: acla1nping ring) having a short radiallyextending fiange 21: adapted to engage the. outer portions: of the blocks-D, the said having; a circi i-mterentia'lly extending flange Q-Q 'WhiCh is threaded upon: the adjacent end of the riing'A- By setting up the ring21,223 the' blocks'D=will not only be hldi to their "seats-but therfiange' 21 will exert a1 clampingpressure. upon the outer segment ofieach block= D,;maintaining ,a firm pressure upon-theecorresponding portions :of the block's D and; thereby compacting: the 'washers-'1a =and 16;- WVhile the'flange 21 of the clamping: ring: holds. the blocks D to theirfseats, the direct application of its clamping pressure is-upon those portions of theclamping: flanges: and. washers: 1e and 16 which are subjected to the maximum centiifirgallygeziertlad:pressure of the lubricant.

The shape of the: seats B and blocks D -enab1es ithe blooksto :beretained' in. the seats against radial inward movement, but with t'hei'oapability; off. rocking in; said seats thereby to facilitate the assembling operation.

The ports 10 and l8-commu-- nioate with a o'entral axial chamber '19 eX- By reason of the. construction illustrated V and described herein; 1" am enabled to provide a joint of the character referred to hereinbei'ore, which is simple andeconomical of production, which will reduce to a minimum the machining operations, andwhich will reduce to a minimum the liability of the lubricant to leak therefrom. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is V v 1. In a universal j,oint, the combination, with a driving and a driven member and trunnions carried: thereby, of a hollow' lubricant-containing: connecting ring: for said trunnions, the said, ring; having seats extends ing transversely thereof from one; side-toward and terminating short of the opposite side, bearing: blocks for said'trunnions adapt ed to be inserted in: said seats, each-bearing block having a'flange at the outer end there- 0t with a washer interposed between said flange and the adjacent face otsa-id ring a Washer interposed between the opposite end of each bearing block and the bottom of the seat therefor, and means for securing said 1 blocks-in place within saidring. V

2. In aa universal joint, the combination, with a; driving and: a driven member and trunnions carried thereby, of a conneeting ringjfor said trunnions, the said rings-hav Zing seats extending. transversely thereoffrom: one side toward andit'ern iinating short of. the opposite side, bearing blocks tor-said trunnionsadapted. tobe inserted: iIr said seats, eachsbearing blockhaving a flange-1 at the outer endithereof with a washer-interposed between, said flange and the adjacent face of said ring, and-means for securing said blocks in pl'aoewithinl said ring.

3, In a universal joint, the eombinatiom, with a driving and a driven member and trunnions carried thereby, of? a hollow-lubricant-containing connecting ring for said trunnions, the said ringhaving seats extending transversely thereof from: one side toward and terminating short ofv the opposite side, bearingv blocks for said trunnions adapted to: bev inserted in said. seats, each bearing. block havinga flangeat the outer end thereof with a: washer interposed b'etween said flange and the adjacent; face of said ring, awasher interposed: between the opposite end of eachbearing block and the bottom of theseat-thereior, andacla'mpiugring threaded upon the exterior. 01513116 connecting: ring and having: a radial flange adapted to engage the flangessoir the said bearing blocks. I

4; In a universal joint, the combination, withv a driving and a driven-i memberv and trunnions 'cai' riedthereby, of a hollow lubri cant-containing. connecting, ring, for said trunnions, the said ring; having. seats extendingztransversely thereoffrom one side toward and terminating short of the opposite side, bearing blocks for said trunnions adapted to be inserted in said seats, each bearing block having a flange at the outerhaving a radial flange adapted to engage th inner wall of the ring, bearing blocks for said trunnions having cross sections corresponding in shape to the said seats and adapted to be inserted in said seats, each bearing blockliaving a flange at the outer end thereof, a washer interposed between said flange and the face of the ring adjacent thereto, and means mountedon said ring and cooperating with the said flanges for holding the said blocks to their seats.

6. In a universal joint, the combination, with a driving and a driven member and trunnions carried thereby, of a hollow lubricant-containing connecting ring for said trunnions, the said ring having seats extending transversely thereof from one side toward and terminating short of the opposite side, the cross section of each of said, seats constituting a. segment of a circle in excess of 180 with the arc of such segment defined by theintersection of the seat with the inner wall of the ring, bearing blocks for said trunnions having cross sections corresponding in shape to the said seats and adapted'to be inserted in said seats, each bearing block having a flanged head at the outer end thereof, a washer interposed between said flange and the face of the ring adjacent thereto, and a clamping ring threaded on the connecting ring and having a radial flange adapted to engage the outer portions of the flanged heads of the said for said trunnions having cross sections cor responding in shape to the said seats and adapted to be inserted in said seats, each bearing block having a flanged head at the. outer end thereof, a washer interposed be-:

tween said flange and the face of the ring adjacent thereto, and a clamping ring Y threaded on the connecting ring and having a radial flange adapted to engage the heads of the said bearing blocks. 7

8. In a universal joint, the combination, with a driving and a driven member and trunnionscarried thereby, of a hollow lubricant-containing connecting ring for said trunnions, the said ring having seats extending transversely thereof from one side and terminating short of the opposite side, the cross section of each of saidlseats constituting a segment of a circle in excess of 180 with the arc of such segment defined by the intersection of the seat withthe inner wall of the ring, bearing blocks for said trunnions having cross sections corresponding in shape to the said seats, and adapted-to be inserted in said seats, each bearing blockhaving a flanged head at the outer end thereof and a reduced extension adapted to engage the inner end of a seat and providing a with a driving and a driven member and trunnions carried thereby, of a hollow lubricant-containing connecting ring for said trunnions, the said ring having seats extending transversely thereof from one side toward and terminating short of the opposite side, the cross section of each of said seats constituting a segment of a circle in excess of 180, with the arc of such segment defined by the intersection of the seat with the inner wall of the ring, bearing blocks for said trunnions having cross sections corresponding in shape to the said seats and adapted to be inserted in said seats, each bearing block having a flanged head at the outer end thereof and a reduced extension adapted to engage the inner end of a seat and providing a segmental annulus about such extension, a washer interposed between the flange of each head and the faceof the ring adjacent thereto, a washer on each seat surrounding each extension, and a clamping ring threaded on the connecting ring and having a radial flange adapted to engage the outer portions of the flanged heads of the said bearing blocks.

10. In a universal oint, the combination,

with a driving and a driven member and trunnions carried thereby, of a hollow lubri- 'cantecontaining' conneotingz, ring: for said tr-un1'1 1ons,-the said 'ringzha'vlng seats i extending transversely thereof-,- the said seatsaexten'd ing: from and" through one side of said ring transversely thereof toward and in proximity to the oppositeside thereof, bearing blocks: for said trunnions' adapted to be inserted in said-seats through the openings p'rovi'ded 'in one side of said ring, andimeans for securing the saidibiearing: blocks inplace 11. Ina universal joint, the combination,

with a driving; and adriven member and trunnions carried thereby, of a hollow lubrisaint-containing connecting ringfor said trunnions,- thef saidring :havingseats extendi-ng fr'om and through onefside of said ring transversely thereof toward and; in proximity'to the opposite side thereof, hearing biloo'ks fo'rl said?trunni0ns=adaptedto be in sertedi in said-"seats: through the openings provided'i-n one" side of said ring, each of said bearing'blookssand seatsbei-ng so shaped as twpenm'i-ta of a roekingniovement of each "bearingiblook withln" its-seat, and means for trunnionscarried thereby, or" ahollow lubricant-containing connecting: ring.- for said trunnions, the'said ring having seats extending: from and through one sid'eof said ring transversely thereof toward but; terminating short of the opposite side and intersecting;

j oint, the c'onibi nation, 7

the inner. side or faee'o-f said ring,.bearing V blocks: adapted to be inserted in said sea-ts through the openings provided In one side of: said ring, each of said bearing blocks and radiaL bore for a trunnion, the bore being adapted tor'egister with the openi-ng formed by the intersection of its seat With the inner seats bein-g so shaped as to enable each bloek: 40 Vto'roek -in[ its seat and each block having a faceof the r-in'g, and-means for seouring thew 45 said blocks in place Within-their seats;

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

FREDERICK W. 

